Statement on Appropriations Bill FY 2019

July 2, 2018 – The Friends of the National Institute on Aging (FoNIA) sincerely appreciates the Senate Appropriations Labor, HHS and Education Subcommittee’s sustained and meaningful support for the National Institutes of Health. We thank Subcommittee Chairman Roy Blunt and Ranking Member Patty Murray for their leadership on the research funding included in the FY 2019 appropriations bill, which includes a $2 billion increase for NIH.

The funding, approved by the full Senate Appropriations Committee on June 28, will provide for increased investment in the NIA, the lead federal agency for biomedical research on aging. For FY 2019, the NIA is to receive $3,084,809,000 for NIA, a significant boost from the FY 2018 level of $2,574,091,000. This investment comes at a time when scientific advances are around every corner. We have the ability to make a real difference in people’s lives by coupling our understanding of health through the lifespan and biological aging with opportunities for increased research in new directions. This knowledge will translate into improved care and quality of life for all of us as we age.

The FONIA is also pleased with the committee’s continued support for Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias research. NIA, in conjunction with several other institutes at NIH, is working toward the ambitious national goal of preventing and effectively treating Alzheimer’s disease by 2025, as set out in the National Plan to Address Alzheimer’s Disease. The $425 million increase for Alzheimer’s and related dementias research enables NIA to take advantage of every breakthrough and every new piece of knowledge.

The House Appropriations Committee is expected to take up its version of the Labor, HHS, Education Appropriations bill after the July 4 recess.